Simply Knitting - UK (2020-02)

Subscribe at http://www.theyarnloop.com/simply-knitting 81

YARN COMMUNITY

This month we

chat to Allison

Thistlewood

from unravel...

Tell us about

unravel 2020...

unravel is a

magical yarn

show that takes place a in

Farnham, Surrey, just outside London. This

year it will run from 21-23 February 2020.

What can we find and do at unravel?

This year unravel is our biggest yet as we have

over 80 exhibitors in our marketplace and an

expanded workshop and talks programme

too. New in 2020 is our Indie Maker Market

which will showcase smaller and emerging

makers. It will definitely be the place to make

new discoveries! Our talks programme will

take place in the new Inner Yarn Sanctum

sponsored by Garthenor Organic, which will

also be a cosy place for yarn lovers to hang

out with their projects. We get makers coming

from all over the UK and around the world for

the show and want to welcome them.

What are the highlights for 2020?

The centrepiece of unravel is our marketplace

which has had a complete refresh thanks

to our teaming up with BIPOC in Fiber for

our selection committee. Almost half of our

exhibitors are new or returning after a year

or two away from the show. Our expanded

workshop programme boasts an international

line-up of tutors from Canada, Scotland, The

Netherlands, Austria and of course England.

Where can we find out more?

Advance tickets and workshop places are

now available through our website where

you can also find further details on all of our

workshop tutors and exhibitors, http://www.craft.

farnhammaltings.com. Be sure to follow @

unravelfestival too on Instagram for social

media fun like our unravel KAL, inspiration

and some IG takeovers too. We can’t wait to

welcome you to the show!

ALLISON

THISTLEWOOD

unravel

Batik Swirl in Spring Garden

(3740) is sure to brighten up

your yarn stash ahead of the

upcoming

spring season. Think of a

sunshine-dappled garden

springing into bloom with

pink-hued blossom and

luscious green leaves. Just

the colour combo for a

springtime shawl or cardi.

Anna Campbell

Marketing Assistant

$FRORXUIXO\DUQWREHDWëHZLQWHUEOXHV

If you’re looking for a bold colour
pallete then Party Time Chunky in
Fairground
by James
C. Brett screams colour and
fun! This soft, self-striping
yarn is easy to care for and
perfect for hats and scarves.
Priced at only £2.99 per
100g ball, it is an
economincal addition to your
yarn stash! Amy Sosbe
Marketing

Perfect for those rainy afternoon

knitting days when you’re seeking

a pop of colour! With Paintbox

Chunky Pots, you’ll find

16 beautiful colour

combinations to choose

from. Follow the simple,

free patterns to either knit

a cosy cowl, scarf or

patterned cushion to

brighten up your home.

Ilona Hurren

Social Media Executive

Each month, three of your favourite brands will answer a hot-topic question about knitting...

PLQXWHVZLë

© BATTERSEA CATS & DOGS HOME

get involved

If you love knitting and adorable kittens, then this appeal is simply

purrfect! Read on to find out how you l r

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

W

e all know and love

Battersea Dogs & Cats

Home, for the incredible

help and support it oers to our

feline and furry friends. Battersea

are currently appealing to knitting

enthusiasts to create woollen toys and

send them in to the cattery. The cats at

Battersea have always enjoyed playing

with knitted mice and other items kindly

donated by members of the public, and

as the winter evenings begin to draw in,

the charity hopes cat-loving crafters will

get their needles out for a great cause.

Battersea provides each of their

cats with toys to keep them engaged

and entertained during their stay. Once

they are ready to go to their new homes,

each cat takes their favourite play

things to help them settle into their new

surroundings. Think of it like a token of

love that will be with them always!

YOUR HELP IS VITAL

The harsh reality is that on any given

day, Battersea estimates there are

approximately 120 cats across the

charity’s three sites in London, Brands

Hatch and Windsor, so demand for

toys is always high. Knitted mice are a

particular favourite! The much-loved

charity is encouraging any knitters to

consider creating cat-friendly toys for

p

them to the cattery. Donations can be

sent in the post, or Battersea has its

own knitting club, Knitting Kittens, held

at its London centre once a month.

KNITTING KITTENS CLUB

Knitting Kittens is for animal lovers at all

levels of knitting expertise and a chance

to get together to create cat-friendly

items for the felines currently residing

at Battersea, or knit items for their own

pets using Battersea cats as inspiration.

Want to know more? To find out how to donate

items, knitted or otherwise, please visit the

Battersea website. A mouse pattern and a paw

print patchwork blanket pattern created for

Battersea can be downloaded for free online.

Knitting Kittens is the world’s first inter-species

knitting club and costs £2. To find out more

visit http://www.battersea.org.uk/support-us/events/

knitting-kittens-club.

Download a free mouse

pattern from the website

Each cat takes its fave

soft toy to its new home

The cats are entertained

at the Battersea home